JAMMU, February 17: Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Tuesday called for convening an all-party meeting to deliberate on the implications of Free Trade Agreements signed with foreign countries and their potential impact on Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector, particularly the apple industry.
Raising the issue during a discussion on departmental allocations in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Pulwama MLA stressed that the matter transcends party lines and warrants a collective political response. He urged the government to facilitate a unified appeal to the Prime Minister to safeguard the interests of local farmers and horticulturists.
“If an all-party meeting is convened, we can arrive at a common position and make a collective appeal to the Prime Minister. For Kashmir, economic revival is closely tied to addressing unemployment and ensuring long-term stability,” Para said, highlighting the broader socio-economic implications of the issue.
Describing the horticulture sector as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, Para asserted that sustainable recovery in the region is not possible without protecting the apple industry. Referring to concerns around the Indo-US trade agreement and similar pacts with countries such as Australia, New Zealand and European nations, he warned that liberalised imports could adversely affect the domestic fruit market, leading to financial strain for growers.
The PDP legislator noted that anxiety among farmers is growing, particularly in disaster-prone areas where horticulture remains the primary source of livelihood. He echoed concerns earlier raised by Congress MLA G A Mir and pointed to widespread apprehension among landholders over the influx of cheaper foreign produce.
Appealing to the Chief Minister to take the lead, Para called for participation from all political stakeholders, including the BJP, Congress and opposition parties, to address the matter collectively. “This is not the issue of one party. It concerns the government, the opposition and every farmer in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Beyond trade policy concerns, Para highlighted structural challenges facing the horticulture sector. He underscored the need to accelerate high-density plantation programmes, pointing out that of nearly 30 lakh kanals under apple cultivation in the Union Territory, only about 30,000 kanals have been converted to high-density orchards. He advocated scaling up the initiative through interest-free loans under existing banking schemes, suggesting that farmers could recoup investments within two years due to higher productivity.
Para also referred to the stalled dry port project sanctioned for Jammu following an agreement signed in Dubai during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. He urged the government to revive the project, stating that improved export infrastructure would strengthen trade and benefit horticulturists across the region.
While appreciating ongoing government initiatives such as drip irrigation systems, hail protection nets, improved storage facilities and technological interventions in pre- and post-harvest management, Para said more awareness and outreach were needed, particularly in north and central Kashmir. He noted that districts such as Pulwama and Shopian have shown encouraging results in adopting modern horticulture techniques.
The MLA further flagged irrigation challenges, alleging procedural hurdles in constructing borewells under the Constituency Development Fund. He cited objections from the groundwater department and an official circular restricting borewell construction under CDF as factors that have escalated costs and delayed projects.
Drawing attention to broader irrigation concerns, he said delays in fund release by the Jal Shakti department have stalled critical works in several villages. Para suggested that desilting of rivers, streams and irrigation canals be undertaken in a mission mode under the MGNREGA scheme, with proper mapping and coordination by the rural development department to ensure tangible benefits for farming communities.